Lupus with depression and anxiety. Now the Perimenopause! What natural remedies can I take? Yam cream?

[LilyMistri2]

Hi,

I have Lupus (26 years now), which is under control, Depression and Anxiety (11 years) and I'm now premenopausal with an increase in my depression/anxiety, heat in the body and a lot of hair loss. I just tried HRT for a few days and felt my mood drop severely. So I've decided not to take it, as I was hoping it would make my mood better! Does anyone who takes Prednisolone, Azathrioprine and Carbamazepine have any natural remedy advice for premenopausal mood swings? Yam cream for eg?

Many thanks!

[Hotinar]

yes use a yham cream on lower stomach or breasts a little tacky until it's absorbed...I wear cotton briefs at my age and use no meds except for forceful for joint pain i think the cream makes me more relaxed and sleep better i can not take the heat or Sun so I garden at 5 or 6 in the morning here in Arkansas as the sun pics my arms sounds weird i know...dear, just take one day at a time and also see if you are bothered by nightshade veggies. Oh that's yam.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Hotinar]

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I'm so appreciative. Glad to know it worked for you. I shall check out the Yam cream. X

[doreeng in reply to LilyMistri2]

Hi, I couldn't take hrt either, so the doctor suggested a ladycare magnet for the menopause which she herself was using. Just place it inside your panties (it's held in place by a magnetic button) over your tummy area. I found it worked brilliantly with no adverse effects. All the sleepless nights, hot flushes and other annoying symptoms gone. I think I can count the number of hot flushes I've had since using it on the fingers of one hand, and I'm now 64. It didn't affect my lupus either (now under control for 15 years).

[LilyMistri2 in reply to doreeng]

Thank you for your suggestion. I will look into it. X

[Jackiecnunez]

Hi, I'v been using a product called Estrovive by CRI Naturals. I hardly get hot flashes and my energy level is good. Hope this helps.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi LilyMistri2 ,

I would strongly recommend that you discuss any complimentary/natural remedies with your doctor before starting them. It is important to bear in mind that everyone with lupus is different and what works for one person may not for another, or could be potentially harmful. Your doctor can advise you about any potential adverse effects or interactions with your treatment.

There are some warnings that people with hormone-sensitive conditions should avoid yam cream because it acts like oestrogen. Many people with lupus experience fluctuations in disease activity in line with their menstrual cycle, so there is the potential that it could cause your symptoms to get worse.

[Hidden in reply to Paul_Howard]

Hi paul. Conventional drs are unlikely to know much about alternative treatments. In my experience, they usually dont. You would need a functional Dr or maybe even a homeopathic dr that is trained in conventional and alternative medicine.

I have both of these doctors and they are both against synthetic hormones due to risk of cancer etc. However, one does advocate the use of wild yam. I am assuming that it must have a very low hormone content if shes for wild yam and not synthetic hormones? She hasnt stated on her webpage that it cant be used on autoimmune patients. Do you have statistcal data on the dangers of wild yam on autoimmune disease? Ive never seen any?

I hope that these links helps you LilyMistri2

Sources:

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Menopau...

drhyman.com/blog/2015/07/24...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Autoimm...

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for these webpages. I will surely look into them. I appreciate your reply.

[Hidden in reply to LilyMistri2]

No problem at all. I know hormones can make you feel so miserable. Its such a shame. I hope that you find something that works for you!

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden ,

It is still very important for your GP and consultant to be aware of any complementary medications or supplements you may be taking so that they know of any possibly interactions of adverse effects that they can have. Other practitioners such as a homeopathic doctor are unlikely to have sufficient knowledge and understanding of complex autoimmune conditions like lupus and the standard treatments used for them.

I'm afraid I do not know what the 'hormone content' of wild yam may be, only that it can behave like oestrogen. There is no clinical data available on the potential risks to those with hormone-sensitive conditions (like with many other alternative therapies and supplements), only a warning to take with caution.

Not stating that people with autoimmune conditions aren't able to have a certain therapy is not the same as saying that it IS safe for them to have it. It is also important to recognise that there are over 100 autoimmune diseases that are currently recognised and not all of these will necessarily be hormone-sensitive. The advice needs to be specifically for those who have SLE.

[Hidden in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks for replying Paul_Howard . Most homeopathic doctors are conventionally trained. My dr is. Therefore, i know that they arent specialists, but they will have had experience of treating and managing a variety of autoimmune diseases.

Doctors can and sadly do prescribe synthetic hormones to the masses. Not just autoimmune patients. They are fully aware of the risks for everyone that takes them (not just lupus patients). Therefore, i personally dont agree with synthetic hormones. If there is a milder and safer alternative like red clover and wild yam etc i would personally do it.

I agree with you that its worth mentioning to any doctor what alternative treatments that you are embarking on. However, ive never heard of any death, disability or even more health problems from alternative medicine. Ive only seen and heard this from the statistical data on pharmaceutical drugs, which i personally find quite frightening.

Therefore, i hope people arent put off looking into safer options, provided that there is no known interactions with their current medications. Also, guidence must be sought by a functional dr that is conventionally trained before lowering or changing medications. Only they know if any alternative treatments can be used instead.

As i said above, the conventionally only trained drs generally have no experience of any other kind of treatments, Just the pharma drugs. It would be unlikey that they would recommend anything other than.

[LilyMistri2 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you Paul for getting back to. I appreciate what you've pointed out. Yesterday when I spoke to my gp she mentioned only eve primrose has studies that prove its effectiveness. But I will speak to gynaecologist now about what she thinks.

[Cas70]

My Gynaecologist took a blood test to see my oestrogen and progesterone levels. Then she put me on a natural progesterone cream twice daily, told me to avoid sugar esp chocolate and to drink lots of water. Layer your clothes so that you can discard them as needed. I got thru ok after the first year it gets easier. BTW I take cannabis oil as needed and found it marvellous for sleep or if my stress levels are high. Holland and Barrett - Good luck

[LilyMistri2]

Thank you so much for telling me about your experience. You've given me food for thought.